PM launches PM SVANidhi Credit Card, flags off three Amrit Bharat Express trains in Thiruvananthapuram
In Thiruvananthapuram on 23 January 2026, PM Narendra Modi launched the PM SVANidhi Credit Card for street vendors, flagged off four trains and laid the foundation of the CSIR-NIIST innovation hub.
Summary
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched, inaugurated and laid foundation stones for projects in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, on 23 January 2026. He launched the PM SVANidhi Credit Card — a UPI-linked, interest-free revolving credit facility for street vendors — and distributed cards including to 10,000 beneficiaries in Kerala. He flagged off four train services: the Nagercoil–Mangaluru, Thiruvananthapuram–Tambaram and Thiruvananthapuram–Charlapalli Amrit Bharat Express trains and a Thrissur–Guruvayur passenger train. He also laid the foundation stone of the CSIR-NIIST Innovation, Technology and Entrepreneurship Hub, focused on life sciences and the bio-economy.
Key facts
- Date / place
- 23 January 2026, Thiruvananthapuram
- New card
- PM SVANidhi Credit Card — UPI-linked, interest-free revolving credit
- Amrit Bharat Express
- Nagercoil–Mangaluru; Thiruvananthapuram–Tambaram; Thiruvananthapuram–Charlapalli
- Passenger train
- Thrissur–Guruvayur
- Science
- CSIR-NIIST Innovation, Technology and Entrepreneurship Hub (foundation)
Practice MCQs 3 questions
The PM SVANidhi Credit Card, launched in January 2026, is meant for:
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Street vendors
PIB (PMO): the PM SVANidhi Credit Card, a UPI-linked interest-free revolving credit facility, was launched for street vendors.
Which of the following was NOT among the Amrit Bharat Express trains flagged off from Thiruvananthapuram on 23 January 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Thrissur–Guruvayur
PIB (PMO): the three Amrit Bharat Express trains were Nagercoil–Mangaluru, Thiruvananthapuram–Tambaram and Thiruvananthapuram–Charlapalli; Thrissur–Guruvayur is a passenger train.
The CSIR innovation hub whose foundation stone was laid in Thiruvananthapuram in January 2026 belongs to which laboratory?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — CSIR-NIIST
PIB (PMO): the PM laid the foundation stone of the CSIR-NIIST Innovation, Technology and Entrepreneurship Hub in Thiruvananthapuram.